Technical Documentation
Documentation Types
README
First thing users see. Include:
- •What the project does
- •How to install/setup
- •Basic usage examples
- •Where to find more info
API Documentation
- •Endpoints and methods
- •Request/response formats
- •Authentication
- •Error codes
- •Examples
Architecture Documentation
- •System overview
- •Component diagrams
- •Data flow
- •Key decisions (ADRs)
User Guides
- •Step-by-step instructions
- •Screenshots/examples
- •Common workflows
- •Troubleshooting
Writing Principles
1. Know Your Audience
- •Developer? User? Admin?
- •What do they already know?
- •What do they need to accomplish?
2. Be Concise
- •Short sentences
- •Active voice
- •Remove filler words
3. Show, Don't Tell
markdown
# Bad
The function handles errors properly.
# Good
The function returns an Error object:
```typescript
const result = await fetchUser(id);
if (result.error) {
console.error(result.error.message);
}
code
### 4. Structure for Scanning
- Use headings
- Use bullet points
- Use code blocks
- Use tables
## README Template
```markdown
# Project Name
Brief description of what this does.
## Installation
\`\`\`bash
npm install project-name
\`\`\`
## Quick Start
\`\`\`typescript
import { thing } from 'project-name';
thing.doSomething();
\`\`\`
## Documentation
[Full documentation](./docs/)
## Contributing
[Contributing guide](./CONTRIBUTING.md)
## License
MIT
API Documentation Example
markdown
## POST /api/users
Create a new user.
### Request
\`\`\`json
{
"email": "user@example.com",
"name": "John Doe"
}
\`\`\`
### Response
\`\`\`json
{
"id": "123",
"email": "user@example.com",
"name": "John Doe",
"createdAt": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"
}
\`\`\`
### Errors
| Code | Description |
|------|-------------|
| 400 | Invalid request body |
| 409 | Email already exists |